While working the cash register, Marge Stevens’ eyes reddened with tears Wednesday as the 84-year-old shop owner told customers the news. After 53 years of doing business beside Annapolis’ harbor, Stevens Hardware will close at the end of this month, after years of sagging sales.

This past summer, a sign quietly went up at the Wheels of Yesterday Museum announcing the cars inside were for sale, and the property itself was listed with Coldwell-Banker Real Estate. Granville Trimper’s personal automobile collection was being sold off car by car.